Animal Evolution: Glimpses of Ancient Environments
Published:25 Feb.2021 Source:Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Although amber looks like a somewhat unusual inorganic mineral, it is actually derived from an organic source -- tree resins. Millions of years ago, when this aromatic and sticky substance was slowly oozing from coniferous trees, insects and other biological material could become trapped in it. That is why some samples of amber contain fossilized specimens, preserved in a virtually pristine state, which afford fascinating snapshots of the flora and fauna of long-gone forests.
Now, a research team led by LMU zoologists Viktor Baranov and Joachim Haug has made exciting finds in samples of amber from the Baltic region and Myanmar, which provide new insights into the ecology of two groups of ancient insects.